Tourism in Belize is up. Cruise ship tourism is way up (300% in five years). If these figures are any indication, this tiny tropical paradise could be on its way to becoming the next hot destination for explorers, expats, retirees, and investors.

From its Caribbean shores to its jungle interior, Belize has great natural beauty--blue water, deserted beaches, and inland retreats, where you can explore Mayan ruins, tall waterfalls, rainforests, and rivers. Until recently, Belize was rarely mentioned in the international media…but the European press is starting to take note.

Europeans don’t much visit Belize…but this is set to change.

17 years ago, when I first set foot on this spit of white sand, it was undiscovered…

Today, it's the fastest-growing port in the Caribbean and poised to become the region's next hot spot.

Yet for all this little nation has to offer… the average tourist has rarely given it a glance.